AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A month after Tropical Storm Imelda, flood-damaged vehicles may be hitting the resale market, the Texas Department of Insurance warned Wednesday.

“Dishonest sellers will buy salvage cars at auction and resell them to unsuspecting buyers,” the department said in a press release Wednesday.

“Once an engine gets waterlogged, it’s almost impossible to ever make it right.”

“If you’re shopping for a used car, make sure to look for signs of water damage,” said Insurance Commissioner Kent Sullivan.

“There’s often a reason when the deal looks too good to be true.”

Buyer tips

Look for signs of water damage
Stains, mildew, rust, and discoloration are signs of water damage. Look for dirt or debris under the floor mats, carpet, or where the spare tire is located. Mold or mildew will give off a musty odor; if you notice a strong smell of cleaner or disinfectant, it could be an attempt to cover up those odors.

Check the title
When a vehicle is declared a total loss, the title must be changed to a salvage or non-repairable title. You can ask to see the title, and a vehicle history report will list the status of the title.

Check the VIN
The National Insurance Crime Bureau offers a free service on its website called VINCheck. Enter the vehicle identification number, and NICB’s database will show if that vehicle has been stolen or listed as a total loss.

Have a mechanic look it over
Flood damage isn’t always obvious. Try to have a trusted mechanic inspect the vehicle and buy from a reputable dealer.

Check used boats and RVs, too
Be aware that boats, RVs, and campers damaged by floodwaters also may appear on the resell market. It’s a good idea to follow these same tips when buying any used vehicle or boat.

(Source: Texas Dept. of Insurance)

source https://www.kwtx.com/content/news/Car-buyers-beware-state-officials-say-563219631.html

Residents of Cumberland and Robeson counties can learn how to clean, treat and remove mold during workshops scheduled for later this month.

The free workshops, which start at 6 p.m., will focus on mold education, treatment and training, according to a news release from Sustainable Sandhills. The workshops are sponsored by the organization’s Mold Busters Program, which was created in response to the rise in mold and mold-related health concerns after hurricanes Matthew and Florence.

The next workshop is Tuesday at the Stoney Point Recreation Center, 7411 Rockfish Road in Fayetteville. It will include information on mold and its health risks.

The first workshop scheduled for Robeson County is Oct. 29 at Bethany Presbyterian Church, 700 E. Elizabethtown Road in Lumberton.

Workshop participants will learn how mold is formed and how to clean, treat and remove it with proper equipment, supplies and protective gear, the release said. Those attending will receive safety supplies, including goggles, respirators and gloves.

The Mold Busters Program seeks to train residents in the two counties in mold education, prevention and reduction.

Mac Legerton, the lead trainer and program coordinator for both counties, said in the statement that mold grows in moist areas and causes major damage to homes, businesses, churches and schools.

“It is a threat to our health and well-being, particularly to our young, elders and those suffering from breathing disorders,” Legerton said. “Learning how to spot it, reduce it, destroy it and prevent it is key to protecting our families and communities.”

Residents, civic groups and faith communities who are interested in hosting a Mold Busters workshop in Cumberland County can contact county program coordinator LaRisse Clark at larisse@sustainablesandhills.org or 704-345-3845.

Staff writer Steve DeVane can be reached at sdevane@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3572.

source https://www.fayobserver.com/news/20191016/mold-workshop-to-be-held-for-residents-in-cumberland-robeson-counties

Pacific Northwest chickpea farmers and processors will have to dry about a third of their crop this year because of late-season rains.

“It seems like every three days it would rain again, and it never dried out,” said Todd Scholz, vice president of research and member services for the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council in Moscow, Idaho.

Nearly 60,000 acres in Idaho and Washington remained unharvested at the beginning of October, Scholz said. The crop was planted late, he said.

Moisture levels were up to 18%. Processors accept a maximum of 13% moisture.

“That put us in a quandary,” Scholz said. “The producers had a crop that was on the ground they couldn’t cut, and the processors wouldn’t accept it.”

Montana and North Dakota chickpea growers also faced significant moisture — “about 10 times as much as us,” Scholz said, adding that there was sprouting in pods. He doesn’t expect a lot of sprout in Idaho and Washington.

He estimates more than 10% of the Pacific Northwest crop was damaged.

Processors brought in dryers and are accepting crop at higher moisture levels to take it through the drying process.

“The only hold-up now is there’s only a limited number of dryers,” Scholz said. “It looks better now than it did maybe two weeks ago.”

Because of the high moisture, the quality of the crop is still in question, Scholz said.

Chickpeas from wetter regions may have greater risk of quality problems, Scholz said. Processors have reported the possibility of dirt damage, discoloration and mold.

“It appears if we can get the crop dry, it’s going to be acceptable quality,” Scholz said.

Chickpeas are presently priced at 15 to 16 cents per pound.

“Every cost you add to the cost of production makes that 15 cents even shorter,” Scholz said.

But chickpea quality or production problems in Canada, Montana, North Dakota, Mexico and Australia could push prices upward.

“There’s certainly chickpeas available because the U.S. had stocks on hand,” Scholz said. “The outlook for the market is positive as you look down the road. The possibilities are interesting, anyway. The cost they put into drying it may well be worth it by the end of the marketing year.”

source https://www.capitalpress.com/ag_sectors/grains/chickpea-crop-quality-in-question-due-to-high-moisture/article_a70b34c4-ef92-11e9-9043-43945ca9f9f9.html

Consumers should be on the lookout for flood-damaged vehicles hitting the resale market, the Texas Department of Insurance said in a warning to Texans.

Sellers often buy salvage cars at auction and resell them to unsuspecting buyers across the state and nation after flooding events, according to the TDI. But once an engine gets waterlogged, it is almost impossible to ever fix the car.

“There’s often a reason when the deal looks too good to be true,”  said Kent Sullivan, insurance commissioner at TDI.

RELATED: Post-Imelda auto sales expected to surge in Houston

Here’s how to know if a used car may have been flooded:

Look for water damage. Consumers should look for stains, mildew, rust and discoloration, as well as dirt or debris under the floor mats and carpet to determine signs of water damage, according to the TDI. Also, flooded cars often have mold or mildew, and give off a musty odor. But be careful: Even if you don’t notice the smell of mildew, beware of a strong smell of cleaner or disinfectant, as it could be an attempt to cover up those odors.

Ask to see the title. The title must be changed to a «salvage» or «non-repairable» title when a vehicle is declared a total loss. Ask to see the title as well as a vehicle history report, which will list the status of the title. Consumers could also check the WIN number with the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s database, VINCheck, which will show if the vehicle has been stolen or listed as a total loss.

Take it to a mechanic. If possible, TDI recommends asking a mechanic to inspect the vehicle for less obvious signs of flood damage.

source https://www.chron.com/business/bizfeed/article/Buyers-beware-of-Imelda-flooded-cars-hitting-14538956.php

The cooler temperatures may be sending you outdoors, but it could also be the cause of your seasonal allergies. Although ragweed pollen is the main cause of fall allergies, an expert at the Baylor College of Medicine warns that storms that send in cold fronts can also stir allergens from the spring and summer – like tree pollen and grass. 

“Cold fronts tend to bring in a lot of wind and stir up a lot of allergens,” Dr. David Corry, professor of medicine in the section of immunology, allergy and rheumatology at Baylor College of Medicine. “Not only ragweed but pollens from earlier in the season that are dried out and stuck in the ground. People can frequently have a return of their allergy symptoms in the fall even if they are mainly allergic to pollens in the spring and summer.”

Corry offers a few tips on how to prevent allergies so you can enjoy the cooler fall temperatures.

source https://www.bcm.edu/news/allergy-immunology-and-rheumatology/fall-fronts-may-bring-mix-of-allergy-triggers

It started on Saturday night when Bieniek was seen going inside the United Plumbing warehouse, located at 5937 Youngquist Road, and taking out a golf cart, according to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrest report. He drove the golf cart to the front of another business, iMold Water Damage & Mold Restoration SWFL. Bieniek is a former employee of iMold.

source https://www.nbc-2.com/story/41185051/florida-man-crashes-forklift-smashes-windows-with-hammer-strips-inside-warehouse

There have been anecdotal and circumstantial evidence of mold in several of the dormitories among the student body for some time now, but it has been officially confirmed that Boley Hall has multiple cases of mildew growing in various rooms as of Wednesday, October 9.

 The cause of the recent mildew outbreak appears to be the lack of ventilation and circulation within the rooms. Being one of the oldest dormitories on campus, Boley Hall lacks a robust ventilation system. When the air conditioning is on in a room, the fan is blowing cold air in a circle. Because that air has no place to go to, the moisture in the air collects on surfaces. Once the air conditioning is then turned off, and the temperature rises, any surface that has an excess of moisture or any remnant food particles turns into a breeding ground for mildew.

Many of the rooms in Boley Hall have had their window style air conditioning units replaced and/or upgraded, which has only further exacerbated the mildew outbreak. Anna Slayman, a current resident in Boley expresses the frustration she feels about the lack of support from student housing, “In the beginning of the semester, the mold wasn’t there and then about a week or two later it started appearing in many people’s rooms, including mine. I’ve put in several requests to Maintenance and nothing was handled, which wasn’t a surprise because I went through the same thing last year. They’ll say it’s being fixed or cleaned but really they’re just pouring bleach everywhere.”

 Students also complained that the mold was beginning to grow on to their clothes and personal items within their rooms. Amber Johnson another resident of Boley was in rage as she explained how not only her stuff could not be replaced but even after putting in multiple work orders nothing was handled until weeks later, “They didn’t come in here to begin cleaning until October 8th. My room had been full of mold for weeks now. I had to replace clothes, and personal items because of the mold growing on them. My mom and grandmother have now begun to search for a lawyer because whatever they’re using to remove the mold isn’t working. Days later it grows right back.”

It is important to reiterate that Boley Hall does not have mold, it has mildew. While very similar, mildew is a less severe problem than mold as it often times does not leave lasting damage to surfaces, it is a very common problem in homes, is less likely to be either a skin and/or respiratory irritant, and is fairly easy to treat and, ultimately, remove. With that being said, however, several students have either chosen or been forced to move to other housing options due to allergic reactions such as skin irritation and coughing.

Executive Director of Student Services and Residential Life University Apartments, Tracie Abraham, wants it to be clear that what Boley Hall has is “a circulation problem” and that “Boley Hall has no instances of mold.” Other staff members affiliated with Boley, such as maintenance workers and resident assistants, could not be reached for comment.

This latest mildew outbreak is only the most recent example of Southern University failing to maintain safety and health standards. A report back in 2016 from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor cited life safety concerns in over 21 buildings with the report noting that “some buildings on the SUBR campus show deteriorating conditions, including buildings with plumbing backups; interior/exterior moisture causing potential environmental issues such as mold,” with the report going on further about other federal and state safety violations and concerns stretching as far back as 2007.

The state of Boley Hall can ultimately be traced back to a lack of funding by the state. The same report that found the laundry list of failed compliance, also notes that a primary factor for the violations could be due to a lack of funding. Administration submitted over 41 repair projects over a two year, fiscal period totaling $21.7 million. Only 7 of the 41 were approved, totaling a mere $4.8 million.

If the current trend continues, Boley Hall is not going to receive the improvements that it needs in order to operate long-term. Based on the financial history of the university, it can be speculated that the building is not going to exist in the next ten to fifteen years which is why the building is not going to receive any major upgrades, like a ventilation system would entail, but instead is going to be repaired and upgraded as needed. Either way though, it appears that the mildew is here to stay.

source http://www.southerndigest.com/news/article_64ed7fcc-ef63-11e9-8fda-ebeeb021c228.html

Mold is no joke, and it could be a huge deal breaker if you’re trying to sell a house.

However, it is not impossible to sell or buy a home if mold is present. The two issues regarding mold for both buyers and sellers are health risks and the costs of fixing the problem. If you’re faced with this issue, here is your guide to selling or buying a house with mold.

What is Mold and What are the Health Risks?

Mold is a fungus that grows indoors and outdoors in damp areas. It usually grows in bathrooms, basements, attics, and crawlspaces. Mold can be identified by its fuzzy, velvety, or leathery appearance.

Toxic mold or Stachybotrys chartarum can pose potential health risks. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to mold include coughing, runny nose, wheezing, and shortness of breath. 

Those with compromised immune systems, infants, and the elderly are most vulnerable to experiencing an allergic reaction to mold. Also, there is a correlation between asthma attacks and black mold exposure. 

Selling a Home with Mold

If you plan on selling your home, it is best to first inspect for mold before you put it on the market. If you put your home up for sale while mold is present, it could make selling even more difficult. 

Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly inspect moist or non-ventilated areas of your home. Check furniture, walls, air conditioning units, and ceilings for black spores. Also, be on the lookout for a musty or earthy odor. 

Most cases of mold found in bathrooms or kitchens can be easily remedied by cleaning the area. However, other cases where there was flooding or a leaky pipe or roof could cause great damage to the home and affect its structural integrity. 

In a severe case of mold or if it is present in small and nonventilated areas like crawlspaces or attics, it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional mold remover. 

Once the mold is removed, get a professional inspection and have it for your records. Depending on your state laws, you are required to disclose whether your home has mold and if the mold issue was resolved. 

Buying a House with Mold

Buying a house with mold is acceptable but depends on many factors. One thing to consider is your budget.

If your appraiser finds that the mold is dangerous, then you may be required to remove it before purchasing it. Therefore, it is ideal to buy a home with mold if you can afford to have the mold removed.

Also, mold greatly decreases the home’s worth so you could possibly get a discount on the home if mold is present.

Another thing to take into consideration is your health. If you are sensitive to allergens, then it is not wise to buy a home if it has mold.

Mold can be an easy issue to remediate if it is caught as soon as possible especially if you are selling or buying a house with mold. For your mold removal needs, trust companies like Bactronix Mold Removal.

source https://azbigmedia.com/lifestyle/home-and-design/what-to-know-about-selling-and-buying-a-house-with-mold/

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Utah Disaster Specialists Recommends Landscape Update Following Kamas Mold Inspection  StreetInsider.com

source https://www.streetinsider.com/Press+Advantage/Utah+Disaster+Specialists+Recommends+Landscape+Update+Following+Kamas+Mold+Inspection/16008284.html

Soldiers can now get their dislocation allowance in advance of their permanent change of station move, even if they have an individually-billed government charge card, according to a new policy announced Tuesday.

The new policy is effective Oct. 10, when it was approved by Army leaders, said Robert Steinrauf, director of plans and resources in the office of the deputy chief of staff, G-1. He spoke during a panel during a family forum at the Association of the U.S. Army annual meeting, discussing officials’ efforts to address some of the problems with permanent change of station moves and family housing.

In a lively question-and-answer session, families asked officials about problems related to the accuracy of the moving companies’ weighing of their household goods; financial costs incurred by families when they have to leave their homes because of mold and other health issues; how the Army holds moving companies and housing companies accountable; the cumbersome claims process for PCS damage or loss; and garrison commanders’ responses to families problems, among other things

The new dislocation allowance policy reverses a 2014 policy that required soldiers to use the government travel card for all permanent change of station travel and relocation expenses. That policy was designed to provide convenience and reduce the need for soldiers to spend money out of pocket during the move. But that policy, which didn’t allow dislocation allowance advances and required using the credit card, caused some financial problems for soldiers for various reasons.

Steinrauf said the new policy allows soldiers to get the allowance, also called DLA, in advance, deposited into their bank account, and alleviating some of the problems of the previous policy.

Army officials in charge of policies relating to permanent change of station moves and housing updated families about steps they’re taking to address the continuing problems with the quality of household goods moves, and problems with mold and other health issues in Army family housing.

Maj. Gen. Timothy McGuire, acting commanding general of the Installation Management Command, told families that if they don’t feel their garrison commander is responsive, they should contact him. “We want to hear the issues,” he said. Soldiers should also bring issues to their chain of command, and can also reach out to the senior commander on the installation.

The Army is working toward getting soldiers their PCS orders at least 120 days before their move, said Maj. Gen. Michel Russell, Sr. assistant deputy chief of staff, G-4. They’re also increasing the number of household goods moves inspections, and standardizing that process so families know what to expect. They’re working on a smart phone app that would be a one-stop resource for all the information a soldier and family need before, during and after the move process. Currently the information is in multiple places. This would help get the information about the benefits that soldiers and families are entitled to, such as requesting an exception to their weight limit, and having the moving company unpack and remove the boxes at the destination.

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McGuire said both privatized housing companies and the military took their eye off the ball, regarding the issues with mold, lead paint, water leaks and other problems with family housing. Families have testified before Congress this year about their concerns about the health and safety of their homes, and their frustration in getting the companies or the military to help solve the problems.

McGuire noted that Army leadership is actively engaged with the CEOs of each privatized housing company, and cited ongoing efforts such as the 24-hotline for housing issues at each installation. He said they’ve increased the number of government housing personnel, and now do 100 percent quality assurance inspections of all work orders performed by the housing company that are priority life, health and safety issues. There are also 100 percent quality assurance inspections of houses after a tenant leaves, before the next tenant moves in.

Russell and McGuire both said while they’re working on the issues, they realize there’s more work to be done.

That was evident in some comments from soldiers and families, including Col. Carlene Blanding, commander of Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon, Ga. She said when she moved this summer, it took seven days to pack up and load her family’s belongings. She said the company didn’t send enough people to do the work, and there were a number of issues. “They didn’t understand the military,” she said. In addition, there was no housing inspector available during the process to help resolve the issues.

In her 26 years of service, she said, “I’ve had bad moves, but this was the absolute worst. This was very emotional.”

source https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-benefits/2019/10/15/soldiers-can-now-get-advances-on-this-pcs-allowance/